Tianzhang Pavilion, Du Zhongxiao, Zhao Zi and Li Zhang stood in his hands. Zhao Zhen in front looked at the map on the table and looked carefully.

Stand up and Zhao Zhen said, "You guess, how likely is the Khitans who intercepted the invading this time?"

Du Zhongxiao held the scepter: "Zhang Ke is a famous general and has always been known for his bravery. Since his troops formed an army, he fought all the way to the Western Regions and won the most critical battle against the Karakhanate. If the proceedings are correct, there should be 80% chance of winning."

Zhao Zhen nodded, thought for a while, and said, "According to the report of the Commander, there may be tens of thousands of soldiers and horses going south this time. If all these tens of thousands of soldiers were wiped out, what would the Khitans think? How would they deal with it later?"

Du Zhongxiao said: "From Weichen to Hequ Road, Tanglong Town won twice, forcing Yelu Renxian to retreat. At that time, although the Khitans were defeated, most of them still believed that the king died unfortunately and the situation was forced. By the beginning of this year, Jia Kui from Mayi won, many people could see that the Khitan military strength was no longer as good as the one in the dynasty. However, when it was defending that time, there was still some people in the Khitan who were lucky enough to think that they were really fighting and not afraid of the one in the dynasty. If they win this time, there would be nothing else in the world, and the military strength of this dynasty would be better than the one in the dynasty. Many things would be different later."

Zhao Zi crossed his hands and said, "I think that if you win this time, the Khitan is very likely to increase troops to Youzhou."

Zhao Zhen was stunned: "This dynasty has added 150,000 troops on Hebei Road, and the Khitans should have increased their troops."

Zhao Zi said: "In the five years of the Khitan civil war, although the grasslands were stable, Youzhou was severely damaged. The Khitans wanted to cultivate and rest, and did not arrange heavy troops to station in Youzhou. As far as I know, the entire Youzhou garrison was less than 50,000."

Du Zhongxiao said: "Your Majesty, in the eyes of the Khitans, they do not think that our dynasty dares to advance north. Even if they lost a battle in Mayi at the beginning of the year, they still think so. Therefore, there are not many Khitan soldiers at the junction of the two countries."

Zhao Zhen nodded and did not speak for a moment. It was not until the great victory of Mayi at the beginning of this year that Zhao Zhen truly realized that the Song Dynasty's military strength had actually surpassed the Khitan. It was from that time that he had strengthened his determination to restore Yan Yun. The Privy Council and the Third Yamen were reorganized and trained the imperial guards to prepare for the northward advance. However, unexpectedly, the Khitans were still indifferent and did not prepare.

After thinking for a long time, Zhao Zhen said: "If we wipe out the entire Khitan army from the south this time, wouldn't it mean that it would be difficult to attack Youzhou?"

Du Zhongxiao held the scepter: "Your Majesty, it is not difficult to attack Youzhou. We have always come to the north of the Central Plains, but not to attack Youzhou, but to win quickly. As soon as the war started, the Khitans ordered grassland soldiers and horses, and the large troops went south. There were not many soldiers and horses in Youzhou, and there were many soldiers and horses in the Khitan grasslands, so they often won first and then lost. Therefore, the most important thing to attack Youzhou is to prevent the large troops of Khitan grassland soldiers and horses from going south."

Zhao Zhen said: "How many people are there in the Khitan gathering grassland soldiers?"

Du Zhongxiao said: "Conservatively estimated, it should not be difficult for 500,000 and 600,000 troops."

The Khitan emperor's direct troops were about 150,000 to 150,000. With other princes and kings and kings from all over the world, it was not difficult to have 500,000 or 600,000 people. This is the true strength of the Khitan. The Yanyun area is more of an agricultural supply area, improving the Khitan economy and providing food and grass for nomads.

Zhao Zi said: "The Khitan troops are 100,000 and 200,000 people with 100,000 people, and 300,000 to 400,000, and in the hands of the princes and kings. Now the Khitan country is still strong, and once the whole country is raised, it will not be difficult to 50,000 or 600,000 or 600,000 will be added."

After a while, Zhao Zhen said: "In this way, without 670,000 troops, it is difficult to attack the Khitan?"

Du Zhongxiao said: "It's not the case, it depends on what the purpose of this dynasty is. If you only restore Yanyun, arrange it effectively, and have a fast march speed, it will be enough to have 300,000 to 400,000 troops. It is enough to occupy the city quickly and defend it. The Khitans have no choice. If they lose Yanyun and rely solely on the grassland nomadic way, the Khitans will no longer have the ability to fight for a long time."

Zhao Zhen nodded: "In this way, as long as we train another 100,000 troops, we can go north to Youzhou?"

Du Zhongxiao said: "If we are judging by military strength, the dynasty's imperial guards will be more than 800,000, which is enough to advance north. However, if the training is not completed, the command is inconvenient, and large-scale combat may lead to chaos. If the army is organized and the army is trained, the speed will be faster."

Zhao Zhen nodded: "It makes sense. I won't talk about this in advance. This battle in Xiongzhou must be foolproof."

Zhao Zi crossed his hands: "The generals have checked the official documents from Shuai Si repeatedly, and they are very prepared. As long as the Khitans dare to come, they must ask them to come and go! After this battle, Hebei Road should be as solid as a god!"

Zhao Zhen nodded, looked at the map, and the commission could not stop for a moment. After a long time, he said to Du Zhongxiao: "If the invading Khitan troops and the 150,000 troops on Hebei Road are concentrated, can we capture Youzhou?"

Du Zhongxiao was startled, but unexpectedly Zhao Zhen asked such a question. He hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, there are no soldiers in the rear, only 150,000 troops on the Hebei Road. There is no reserved troops in the rear, which is the most taboo thing in combat. If an accident occurs on the front line, there will be no remedy!"

Zhao Zhen said: "That means, if you advance, you may still be conquered?"

Du Zhongxiao nodded: "If the attack is done properly, it is possible to capture it. However, once the Khitan sends troops quickly, it is difficult to say. At this time, the Khitan king is in Zhongjing, and he quickly leads his troops south, which is likely to go against his wishes!"

Zhao Zhen said nothing, and after a while, he said, "It's just a talk. I'm not ready, so it's hard to move lightly."

Du Zhongxiao let out a sigh and his heart calmed down. He could see that after the battle in Shuozhou at the beginning of the year, if he wins again, Zhao Zhen will obviously be ready to move. As the saying goes, beat the dog in the water, once the Khitan shows a sign of defeat, Zhao Zhen wants to attack.

Thinking about it, it was because the Western Regions were restored and the Khitan was destroyed. How could Zhao Zhen be willing to do so? Until now, it was because the entire imperial guards were not in a system, and the Khitan's strength was too strong and he had to bear it.

Moreover, after five years of civil war, Yelu Hongji had to rectify the internal affairs after winning his son. It was the best time. After beheading Yelu Chongyuan, Yelu Hongji began to reconcile with the Hou tribe and reactivate the Hou tribe ministers. The Hou tribe is an important force of the Khitan. Once the integration is completed, the national strength will reach another level. If you don’t take advantage of this time to go north to the Khitan, it will be even more difficult to fight after a few years.

There has been no major issues in the country recently, and there has been sufficient money and food in recent years. If the imperial guards had not completed the training, the Song army would have gone north.

After returning to the case, he sat down and Zhao Zhen said: "When the invading Khitan troops are destroyed, the railway will be built to Xiongzhou this year. Once the railway is connected, the Central Plains will be connected with Hebei Road. When the army goes north in the future, there is no need to worry about insufficient food and grass in the rear."

Du Zhongxiao said: "The Secretary of the Central Committee has concentrated his efforts, spent more money and food, and built roads at the fastest speed. Once the railway arrives in Xiongzhou, the army of Hebei Road will be integrated into one, and many things will be easy to do. Moreover, in the future, with railway support, it is indeed much more convenient."
Chapter completed!